One Of The Most Touching Service Dog Stories I’ve Ever Read

Posted on | April 16, 2009 | No Comments

I read hundreds, if not thousands, of blog posts, Twitter tweets, and news stories daily, and, frankly, I see the term “service dog” tossed around pretty loosely (no surprise to you if you’ve read this blog at all).

I started to write a buncha caveats to clarify what I’m about to say, but decided not to. I’ll just say this – read this story written by Wallis Brozman and then see how your idea of what a service dog is and what it does racks up against it.

Oh, yeah… Since this is a wider audience, lemme give you what’s known in the CCI world as a “Kleenex alert” – as in you might wanna have a box of Kleenex or a handkerchief handy while reading this story.

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Gold Rush Champions Newsletter Dec 2008 – Feb 2009

www.goldrushchampions.com

Wallis Brozman and Caspin

“I have dystonia, which causes abnormal, uncontrollable movements and twisted posturing of your body. Recently, dystonia has seemed like something I cannot escape. Then in February 2009, I was paired with Service Dog Caspin, and my life has changed in amazing ways. I feel like my dystonia matters less with Caspin by my side. I can focus on my goals and dreams, and he always seems to make the pain more bearable.

I have been back home in Davis for four days now, although it seems like I’ve had Caspin for so much longer than a couple of weeks. Already in these few short days, so much has changed for me. People smile at my dog, instead of looking at me with a mixture of pity and curiosity. They ask about Caspin, tell me how wonderful he is, instead of asking what’s wrong with me. I live alone, 3000 miles from my family. It was so hard to be alone sometimes. I feared for my safety, and I was incredibly lonely. I can feel safe now.

Just tonight, I found myself outside walking Caspin, and I had left my phone in the house. I had thought that there was no reason to bring it. I was wrong. The cool night air triggered a dystonic attack. I was stuck in the dark, completely rigid and in spasm. I began to panic. Why hadn’t I brought the phone; and would I have even been able to push a button if I had? Who would I call? In my panic, I looked to Caspin. He saw my anguish, my discomfort, and sought to comfort me. He put his head on my spasming legs, licked my tremoring hands, reassured me with a gentle lick on my cheek. I knew Caspin was ready to help in any way he could. Since this was supposed to be a night time bathroom run, I hadn’t thought to dress Caspin in his pulling harness. If only I had, I thought. He could have pulled me. He looked up at me and knew what to do. I grabbed his collar softly and whispered, “Caspin, pull”. Easily, like it was meant to be that way, Caspin pulled me lightly towards my door. He glanced at me every few steps as if making sure his pace wasn’t hurting me. As we reached the door, I unlatched the lock and told Caspin to push. He had never pushed open my door, but I knew he would tonight. We made it inside, and Caspin turned out the light. I had stopped spasming, but I was still rigid. I called Caspin onto my bed, and he sat there, licking my rigid arms, easing my muscles back into a more useful state. I was in my bed and I was safe.

I hate to think what would have happened to me “before”. Would someone have come to help me? Would I have sat there for hours until perhaps by some stroke of luck, the spasming stopped? Who knows. What I do know, is that Caspin was my lifesaver tonight. It has been four days since we left the CCI campus in Santa Rosa, and Caspin has already saved me.

I applied for a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence two years ago, almost to the day. I knew the benefits of having a service dog; I have volunteered with Dogs4Diabetics in Concord for over two years now. However, had someone told me that a dog would get me safely home one night, I never could have believed them. Had they told me that this black dog would be there to comfort me when I was in pain, or sad, or lonely I would never have imagined how true it would be. Caspin is always there to listen to me rant, or sob, and in two weeks he has witnessed both. He lends a non-judgmental ear when I need one, and a strong and comforting shoulder when I need to cry.

Caspin has provided me with so much more than a capable set of paws, eager to retrieve my dropped keys; more than just a strong dog to pull my wheelchair when I’m tired. He has even provided more than a sense of security far from home. Caspin is my constant companion, my loyal friend. It has been four days, and so much has happened. If in only four days, my life has changed this much, I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next four weeks, months, and years. It’s bound to be just as wonderful.”